The latest news stories and stories of interest in the Willamette Valley from the digital home of Southern Oregon, from Wynne Broadcasting’s WillametteValleyMagazine.com
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Willamette Valley Weather
UPDATE: Multi-Vehicle Crash I-5 – All Lanes Open Now
On October 19, 2022, around 8:00 A.M., Oregon State Police Troopers responded to a multi-vehicle crash on southbound Interstate 5 between milepost 228 and 211.
Interstate 5 southbound was completely blocked with a detour in place. The Interstate is now open. The freeway was closed most of the day. Preliminary estimates of involved vehicles are 15 to 20 Commercial Motor Vehicles and 45 passenger vehicles with one confirmed fatality.
The Oregon Department of Transportation temporarily dropped the cable barrier to detour vehicles caught in the gridlock on Interstate 5. School buses from Eugene arrived on the scene to assist in relocating 30-40 stranded motorists to Pioneer Villa at exit 216. DEQ and HAZMAT responded to approximately 6 of the CMVs that are leaking fluids onto the roadway. Several public safety agencies assisted. Members of the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit were on the scene. For current information call 511 or www.tripcheck.com
2nd I-5 Chain Reaction Fatal Crash on Wednesday
On Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at approximately 2:10 PM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 southbound near milepost 219.
Preliminary investigation revealed a Freightliner CMV, operated by Pritpal Singh (31) of Sacramento, CA, was stopped in the slow lane due to an earlier crash. A second Freightliner, operated by Kirpal Singh (63) of Yuba City, CA, collided with the stopped CMV and caught fire. This caused a chain reaction rear-ending of a Nissan Armada, operated by Patricia Foster (36) of Central Point, and a Ford Focus, operated by Kevin Loomis (55) of Norway, Michigan.
Kirpal Singh sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Pritpal Singh, Patricia Foster and Kevin Loomis were uninjured. Pritpal Singh and Kirpal Singh are not related.
Interstate 5 was closed for approximately 8 hours while the OSP Troopers and OSP Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the scene. This was the second chain reaction crash on a 10 mile stretch of Interstate 5 within 6 hours.
OSP was assisted by Halsey/Shedd Fire Department, and ODOT.
Another Crash on Hwy 99 in Junction City
One person is in the hospital in unknown condition after an early-morning crash in Junction City that damaged power lines, officials said.
Officials say the crash happened at about 5:30 a.m. along Highway 99 in Junction City, just north of the Eugene airport. Authorities say the crash involved two vehicles and suspect thick morning fog was a contributing factor, but were unable to provide more details as their investigation is still underway. One person was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries, and is currently in unknown condition.
The crash ended up knocking over some power lines. Emerald People’s Utility District worked to restore the power pole that was knocked over.
ESPN’s College GameDay Returns to Eugene
The University of Oregon will be back in the national spotlight, as ESPN’s College GameDay returns to Eugene for the first time in four years. Stopping by for the top-ten matchup between UCLA and the Ducks, this will mark the eleventh time the popular college football morning show has come to Eugene.
College GameDay has visited college campuses around the country for nearly thirty years. The last time they came to Eugene was in 2018 for Oregon’s match-up against rank seven Stanford. A game the Ducks would lose 38-31 in overtime.
Students and fans alike are excited about the exposure the show will bring, and many are planning to make it to the show bright and early and make the most of a limited opportunity. The show begins at 6 AM and will be held at the Memorial Quad across from the Lillis Business Complex.
http://espncollegegameday.com
Lane County 2022–2023 property tax statements are available online and going out in the mail
Lane County taxpayers will receive their 2022–2023 property tax statements beginning on October 18, 2022. Statements are available online now, as well as information about the county value trends, levy changes, and individual property tax account information, at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/AT. The first payment is due on November 15, 2022.
Great Oregon ShakeOut takes place today 10/20/2022 at 10:20 am
WHAT
Earthquakes can strike at any time without warning. When the earth starts to shake, people need to know how to best protect themselves. The Great Oregon ShakeOut is part of a global drill for people to practice how to stay safe during an earthquake.
WHO
Over half a million Oregonians have registered to take part in this year’s self-led Great ShakeOut drill, pledging to Drop (or Lock), Cover and Hold On for at least 60 seconds as if a major earthquake was occurring at that moment.
WHEN
The Great ShakeOut takes place at 10:20 a.m. today. NOTE: Some locations opt to hold their drill at different times. Please do not show up at a venue without checking their details first.
WHERE
The Great Oregon ShakeOut is happening at schools, businesses, government agencies, homes and more. View the list of participants by county and organization here.
Eugene media-specific location:
- McCornack Elementary, 1968 Brittany St, Eugene
- Media should arrive by 10 a.m. The drill will take place at 10:20 a.m.
- Interviews available: McCornack Elementary Principal Dana Brummett, Eugene School District 4J Superintendent Dr. Andy Dey, Oregon Emergency Management Deputy Director Matt Marheine, and McCornack students
- Media contacts: Jenna McCulley, Eugene School District 4J Director of Communications: 541-913-1244; Chris Crabb, OEM Public Affairs Officer, 971-719-0089
Portland media-specific location:
- Lincoln High School, 1750 SW Salmon St, Portland
- Media should arrive at the entrance by 9:15 a.m. The drill will take place at 9:45 a.m.
- Interviews available: Lincoln High School Vice Principal Chris Brida, Portland Public Schools Bond Communications Manager David Mayne, and students
- Media contact: David Mayne, 503-320-3772
- NOTE: Benson Polytechnic High School at 546 NE 12th Ave. is currently receiving seismic upgrades; David Mayne can make arrangements to also visit the school for video footage.
OEM QUOTES
“The earthquake that struck Linn County on Oct. 7 rattled some folks and was a wake-up call that we live in earthquake country,” said Oregon Emergency Management Director Andrew Phelps. “Knowing what to do when the earth starts shaking helps people reduce their risk and better protect themselves to prepare for earthquakes. Every person in Oregon should practice Drop, Cover and Hold On until it becomes a familiar routine. It’s an effective and no-cost addition to your preparedness plan.”
“A Cascadia quake will devastate the entire Pacific Northwest region, impacting critical infrastructure like energy, drinking water and sewer services, transportation routes and lifesaving health-care facilities for weeks to months or longer,” said Phelps. “Knowing this makes it even more important to build a culture of preparedness in the state. Half a million Oregonians practicing earthquake preparedness at the same time is impressive, but it’s not enough. We need to work toward every Oregonian registering for the Great Oregon ShakeOut as an important step toward keeping themselves safe in the event of a Cascadia quake.”
NO-COST, LOW-COST PREPAREDNESS STEPS
• Make an emergency plan.
• Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items
• Sign up to receive local emergency alerts at ORAlert.org.
• Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on cell phones. People in Oregon, Washington and California who’ve opted into WEA automatically receive ShakeAlert earthquake early warnings notifications (for quakes in their area with a magnitude of 4.5 or greater), which can offer critical seconds of warning to seek cover from falling objects and brace themselves.
• Practice Drop, Cover and Hold On until it becomes routine.
• OEM’s 2 Weeks Ready program offers several resources in multiple languages to help people prepare.
Candidates For Oregon Governor Last Televised Debate
This was the last televised debate between Republican Christine Drazan, unaffiliated candidate Betsy Johnson, and Democrat Tina Kotek.
The three candidates running to be Oregon’s next governor met Wednesday night for a televised debate hosted by KGW and The Oregonian. This is the fourth and final televised debate featuring Republican Christine Drazan, unaffiliated candidate Betsy Johnson and Democrat Tina Kotek — and it’s set to happen as ballots are in the mail, bound for Oregon voters.
The debate was moderated by Laurel Porter, KGW evening anchor and host of the “Straight Talk” public affairs show, and Hillary Borrud, state government and politics reporter at The Oregonian. Porter’s evening co-anchor, David Molko, hosted the broadcast.
The debate aired live on KGW at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, and will be streaming on kgw.com and the KGW+ app.
Watch the full debate streaming live here
Housing Northwest’s ARCS program receives first-of-its-kind state funding to pay rent for one year for 25 college students who are experiencing homelessness
(Salem) – College Housing Northwest’s (CHNW) student homelessness program, Affordable Rents for College Students (ARCS) announced today that it has received $500,000 of funding from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) to provide one year of free rent in CHNW properties to 25 students who are experiencing homelessness and are pursuing education and employment goals to better their future.
This partnership between ARCS and ODHS will provide stable housing to 25 students as they grow, learn and strive to meet their full potential. In addition to housing, each student will receive case management services through New Avenues for Youth and Native American Youth Association (NAYA) that will support them and help them connect with other services they need to thrive and reach their full potential.
“Housing insecurity has made it terribly challenging to focus on school. It’s hard juggling school in addition to the regular struggles in life. When basic needs like housing become insecure it’s like juggling on a tight rope, if you lose your balance it all comes crashing down,” said Chelsea M., an ARCS student attending Portland Community College. “I learned about the ARCS program from Future Connect. FC helped me get connected and from there I had an interview with an ARCS housing coordinator. It was pretty easy and I moved in before fall term. Had it not been for CHNW I wouldn’t be in school anymore. They have really given me the support I needed with housing so that I could continue working towards becoming a social worker.”
This innovative housing partnership is possible because of a $9 million interagency transfer from the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department (OHCS) to the ODHS, Self-Sufficiency Programs, Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program to support the housing needs of young people across Oregon.
Affordable housing opportunities for youth experiencing homelessness are very limited across Oregon. Often, youth are forced to compete with unhoused adults and families to receive housing vouchers. Housing voucher programs consistently have long wait lists and are difficult for youth to navigate. Youth experiencing homelessness also frequently encounter bias from landlords who may view them as less reliable than adults, which can further limit their access to housing.
“We all have an interest in a community in which young people have access to stable and safe housing so that they can pursue their life’s goals and reach their full potential,” said Jana McLellan, interim director of the ODHS, Self-Sufficiency Programs. “This partnership between ODHS and CHNW is a necessary step towards intentional youth-specific housing opportunities for those currently experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. It is our responsibility as a community to come together to support young people and provide housing opportunities. When we do this we will give them the stability and safety they need to learn and grow and help our community thrive. This collaboration with CHNW is testament to truly supporting a vital and frequently overlooked population and we hope others are inspired to find new and creative opportunities to help them.”
“Oftentimes when we think of people experiencing homelessness, college students do not come to mind,” said Mike Savara, interim chief programs officer for the Housing Stabilization Division at OHCS. “This failure to see these young people results in broken dreams and a lifelong battle to stay permanently housed. Directing resources to help create pathways that help young people out of homelessness will lead to increased educational achievement and improved health outcomes.”
“To have the State directly support young people experiencing homelessness this way is incredible,” said Pamela Blumenthal, Director of ARCS. “Student houselessness is at an all time high, not just in Portland, but around the country. ARCS was created to help students succeed and break down some of the barriers of entry (and completion) for folks who might not otherwise be able to attend college. It’s getting harder and harder for prospective students from strained socio-economic backgrounds to get a diploma. We all know it can be life changing and that is what we are focused on doing at ARCS, changing lives.”
About the Oregon Department of Human Services
The mission of the Oregon Department of Human Services is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.
About Oregon Housing and Community Services
Oregon Housing and Community Services provides resources for Oregonians to reduce poverty and increase access to stable housing. Our intentional focus on both housing and community services allows us to serve Oregonians holistically across the housing continuum, including preventing and ending homelessness, assisting with utilities, providing housing stability support, financing multifamily affordable housing and encouraging homeownership.
About College Housing Northwest
CHNW is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose ARCS program partners with organizations like New Avenues for Youth, and the Native American Youth and Family Center, as well as colleges like Portland State University, Mt. Hood Community College and Portland Community College, to give students facing homelessness a chance to succeed.
CHNW has been helping students succeed for over 50 years. The nonprofit provides well-supported and affordable housing for post-secondary students in the city of Portland by creating and maintaining supportive communities that help students achieve their goals. Typical CHNW rents are 15-25% below market and the ARCS program further decreases those rents. Additionally, The ARCS program helps those students most in need through eviction prevention, low barriers to entry, and a highly supportive environment focused on supporting student success.
About Affordable Rents for College Students
College Housing Northwest (CHNW) created Affordable Rents for College Students (ARCS) in 2020 to provide subsidized housing to students most at risk. More than 50% of college students report struggling with housing insecurity. By lowering one of the most significant barriers to housing security—rental expenses and upfront housing costs—ARCS, by collaborating with local colleges and nonprofits, secures housing for those whom our society has neglected to support.
ODOT Reminds Drivers of WORK ZONE SAFETY
When driving around the county and to other areas of the state, there might be road work taking place. That may mean reduced speed limits and traffic delays in work zones. Did you know that 4 out of 5 work zone crash victims are NOT the workers? It is actually the drivers and their passengers traveling through the work zone areas. Inattention and speed are the most common causes of work zone crashes.
Work zones are dangerous for everyone even when workers are not visible. That is why ODOT lowers the speed limits in work zones. Exceeding work zone speed limits can be especially hazardous for numerous reasons:
- Traffic patterns may change day to day.
- Roads may be rough, uneven or covered with debris.
- Temporary lanes may be narrow with abrupt edges.
- Roadside equipment may obstruct views.
Travelers are often caught off guard by work zone hazards. Distracted driving and driving in excess of the speed limit reduces the necessary reaction time to avoid a crash. When you see orange signs, cones and barrels on the roadway, PAY EXTRA ATTENTION! Those are your clues to be prepared for unexpected obstacles and stopped or slowing cars. So slow down, stay alert, avoid distractions and put down the phone.
For more information about work zone safety, go to ODOT’s website at: www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Safety/Pages/Work-Zone.aspx
Voting in Oregon feels GOOD
It’s time to get #VoteReady: Just grab your ballot and a blue or black pen!
You don’t even need a stamp It’s not a test: you can vote on every candidate and measure, or leave some blank How you vote is private. Make a plan to vote! http://OregonVotes.gov#TrustedInfo2022
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1109674113319848
